Wargaming CEO: “We have to tolerate Xbox Live Gold subscriptions”

Victor Kislyi, CEO of free-to-play giant Wargaming, has said he’s “not happy” with Xbox Live Gold subs, following the E3 announcement that World of Tanks will be coming to Xbox 360.

In an interview conducted by GI.biz at E3, Kislyi said: “We have to tolerate [Xbox Live Gold subscriptions], which I am not happy about.”

He added: “I would rather add another 30-40 million non-golden members.”

Xbox Live Silver members will be offered a trial for the game, but playing the full thing will require Gold membership. The PC version has more than 45 million registered users.

Despite the obstacles, Kislyi was pragmatic about dealing with platform holders.

“Everybody knows Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo are traditional console companies which are huge in their own merit,” the exec said. “They have lots of divisions, lots of departments, lots of regulations. We respect that, and whining and complaining about that structure does not help.”

Kislyi said a console version of World of Tanks was important for western growth.

“Different territories have different tastes. China, Korea, Russia, they have no consoles. Obviously, North America, UK and Europe are heavy console markets. We have to cater to our players, whatever they use.”